Realism for Dummies

Realism is a word that we use to describe a way of understanding the world around us. It's like putting on a special pair of glasses that helps us see things as they really are, without any filters or fancy distortions. When we talk about realism, we mean looking at things in a plain, straightforward way, without adding any extra fluff or imagination. It's all about seeing things for what they truly are, without any sugar-coating or make-believe.

Let's imagine you're walking outside on a sunny day, and you see a tall, green tree. In a realistic way, you would simply observe the tree as it is, noticing its colors, size, and shape without adding anything extra to it. You wouldn't imagine that the tree can talk or dance because those things aren't real. Realism means focusing on the facts and what we can actually see, hear, touch, and experience.

So, when we talk about realism in art or literature, it means presenting things in a way that mimics real life. Artists and writers might create paintings, stories, or plays that show scenes and characters as they truly exist in the world. It's like looking at a photograph that captures a moment in time just as it happened, without any fancy editing or filters. Realistic artworks or stories help us connect with and understand the world around us in a more genuine and relatable way.

But wait, there's another meaning of realism too! In philosophy, realism is a belief that the physical world and the things in it exist independently of our thoughts and perceptions. It's like saying that a table is a table, whether or not we're there to see it or think about it. Realism in this sense is about acknowledging an objective reality that exists outside of our minds. It means that things exist as they are, regardless of how we perceive or think about them.

So, in a nutshell, realism means seeing things as they truly are, without adding any extra fluff or imaginary elements. It's about presenting the world in a straightforward and genuine way in both art/literature and philosophy. Understanding realism helps us appreciate the beauty of reality and encourages us to engage with the world as it is, rather than through filters or illusions.